Traditional breast implant insertion method can pose risks of infection, incisional damage, mechanical damage to the implant, and other complications that can cause problems for both plastic surgeons and patients. In recent years, some scholars have applied the "no-touch" breast implant insertion devices to the surgery in order to solve these problems. This article reviews the types, advantages and disadvantages of the "no-touch" breast implant insertion devices and their development trends to provide a reference for plastic surgeons to perform implant-based breast surgery, thus improving the efficiency and safety the operation.

Traditional breast implant insertion method can pose risks of infection, incisional damage, mechanical damage to the implant, and other complications that can cause problems for both plastic surgeons and patients. In recent years, some scholars have applied the "no-touch" breast implant insertion devices to the surgery in order to solve these problems. This article reviews the types, advantages and disadvantages of the "no-touch" breast implant insertion devices and their development trends to provide a reference for plastic surgeons to perform implant-based breast surgery, thus improving the efficiency and safety the operation.

Breast implants are widely used in breast plastic surgery. Capsular contracture after breast implant surgeries remains as a common complication and difficult to solve, which is often related to the success or failure of the operations. Therefore, how to prevent capsular contracture after prosthesis implantation has always been a hot issue in breast plastic surgery. The exploration of the causes of capsular contracture has never stopped, but its etiology has not been fully clarified. Subclinical infection may be one of the important causes of capsular contracture. To prevent the occurrence of subclinical infection, many method have been used. Among them, pocket irrigation is considered as an effective way in preventing bacterial adhesion, thus preventing the occurrence of subclinical infection, and finally preventing capsule contracture. However, many kinds of antibacterial irrigation can be used in clinics. There is still a lack of consensus on which irrigation solution has the optimal effect. This paper analyzes and summarizes the status of application regarding antibacterial irrigation solution in breast prosthesis implantation, to provide suggestion for its clinical application.

Objective:This study aimed to explore the clinical application value of the indication selection criteria for bi-pedicled deep inferior epigastric arterial perforator flap(DIEP) versus pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap(TRAM) combined with DIEP for breast reconstruction.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent delayed bi-pedicled abdominal flap breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery in the Department of Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery and Department of Mammoplasty, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2008 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the indications for each procedure, corresponding blood supply source was selected. Subsequently, patients were divided into two groups: bi-pedicled DIEP group and pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group according to the type of blood supply source. The indication selection criteria for pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap was as follows: lack of two groups of recipient vessels; no dominant perforator in the abdominal donor site; previous abdominal liposuction or abdominal surgery with large dissection range and severe scar; patients were unable to tolerate prolonged surgery or had high risk factors for microsurgery. A comparison of breast reconstruction surgery characteristics was conducted between the two groups. Independent-samples t-test, rank sum test, Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact probability method were used to analyze various data including age, body mass index (BMI), time interval between breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction surgery, history of radiotherapy, history of chemotherapy, history of smoking, history of lower abdominal surgery, history of hypertension, original surgical incision type, length and width of flap, hospitalization length, preoperative and postoperative conditions, as well as postoperative complications. Statistical significance was defined at P<0.05. Results:A total of 54 patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction were included in this study with a mean age of 42.2 years (range, 30-59 years). The pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group consisted of 21 patients with a mean age of 42.7 years (range, 33-56 years) while the bi-pedicled DIEP group comprised 33 patients with a mean age of 41.8 years (30-59 years). Out of the 54 patients, a total of 38 were eventually followed up, comprising 14 in the pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group and 24 in the bi-pedicled DIEP group. The average follow-up duration for the pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group was 42 months (range, 6-69 months). Abdominal bulge occurred in one patient, while another patient experienced abdominal hernia. The average follow-up duration for the bi-pedicled DIEP group was 47 months (6-179 months), with no reported cases of abdominal bulge or abdominal hernia. There were no statistically significant differences observed between the two groups regarding age, BMI, time interval between breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction surgery, history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, history of smoking, history of lower abdominal surgery, history of hypertension, original surgical incision type, length and width of flap, hospitalization length or time to ambulation (all P>0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference noted in duration of surgery between the pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group and bi-pedicled DIEP group [6.0(5.5-6.5) hours vs. 8.5(8.0-8.8) hours] ( P<0.01). Comparison analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in terms of partial flap necrosis (0/21 vs. 1/33), abdominal incision dehiscence (2/21 vs. 2/33), abdominal bulge (1/14 vs. 0 /24) or abdominal hernia (1/1 vs. 0/24) between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For patients who needed bilateral vascular pedicled lower abdominal wall for breast reconstruction, utilizing a pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap did not increase surgical complication risks. The proposed indication selection criteria for using a pedicled TRAM + DIEP combined flap outlined in this study could serve as guidance when choosing methods for bi-pedicled abdominal flap breast reconstruction.

Objective:To preliminarily evaluate the outcome of fat grafting breast augmentation using filtration-adsorption technique.Methods:Patients undergoing autologous fat grafting (AFG) breast augmentation between July of 2020 and March of 2021 were retrospectively reviewed at Breast Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College. Patients with complete data who followed up for at least 3 months were included. The lipoaspirates were processed with filtration-adsorption technique and AFG breast augmentation were performed (filtration-adsorption group), and then sedimentation method which was commonly used clinically was set as the control group (sedimentation group). During the follow-up, breast palpation and ultrasound inspection were performed, and the breast volumetric change between preoperative and postoperative was quantitatively compared by three-dimensional scanning technique. Demographic and surgical details were statistically analyzed. Postoperative breast volume retention rates and complication rates were calculated and compared. Normally distributed continuous variables were described in the form Mean±SD, and t-test was used for analysis. Non-normal distributed continuous variables were described in the form of M ( Q1, Q3) and analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. The classified data were analyzed by Fisher exact probability test. Results:A total of 20 female patients (40 breasts) were included, including 10 patients (20 breasts) aged (31.4±2.5) years in sedimentation group and 10 patients (20 breasts) aged (28.5±4.4) years in the filtration-adsorption group. The fat injection volume in the filtration-adsorption group was 151.1 (125.0, 175.0) ml, and 165.0 (151.3, 196.3) ml in sedimentation group, respectively, with no statistical significance ( P>0.05). The breast volume retention rate in filtration-adsorption group was (62.93±14.06)%, which was significantly higher than that in sedimentation group (24.97±11.02)% ( P<0.01). During postoperative breast ultrasound examination, 2 breasts in sedimentation group had palpable nodules (< 6 mm), 1 breast had ultrasonically detectable but clinically inaccessible nodules (< 4 mm), while only 1 breast in the filtration-adsorption group had an oil cyst (4 mm×2 mm). The complication rate in the filtration-adsorption group was lower than that in sedimentation group[5.0%(1/20) vs. 15.0%(3/20), P>0.05]. Conclusion:The filtration-adsorption technique is an ideal method for fat grafting, which would multiply the volume retention rate in large-volume AFG breast augmentation and reduce the rate of complications.

Breast implants are widely used in breast plastic surgery. Capsular contracture after breast implant surgeries remains as a common complication and difficult to solve, which is often related to the success or failure of the operations. Therefore, how to prevent capsular contracture after prosthesis implantation has always been a hot issue in breast plastic surgery. The exploration of the causes of capsular contracture has never stopped, but its etiology has not been fully clarified. Subclinical infection may be one of the important causes of capsular contracture. To prevent the occurrence of subclinical infection, many method have been used. Among them, pocket irrigation is considered as an effective way in preventing bacterial adhesion, thus preventing the occurrence of subclinical infection, and finally preventing capsule contracture. However, many kinds of antibacterial irrigation can be used in clinics. There is still a lack of consensus on which irrigation solution has the optimal effect. This paper analyzes and summarizes the status of application regarding antibacterial irrigation solution in breast prosthesis implantation, to provide suggestion for its clinical application.

Objective:This study aimed to explore the clinical application value of the indication selection criteria for bi-pedicled deep inferior epigastric arterial perforator flap(DIEP) versus pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap(TRAM) combined with DIEP for breast reconstruction.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent delayed bi-pedicled abdominal flap breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery in the Department of Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery and Department of Mammoplasty, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2008 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the indications for each procedure, corresponding blood supply source was selected. Subsequently, patients were divided into two groups: bi-pedicled DIEP group and pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group according to the type of blood supply source. The indication selection criteria for pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap was as follows: lack of two groups of recipient vessels; no dominant perforator in the abdominal donor site; previous abdominal liposuction or abdominal surgery with large dissection range and severe scar; patients were unable to tolerate prolonged surgery or had high risk factors for microsurgery. A comparison of breast reconstruction surgery characteristics was conducted between the two groups. Independent-samples t-test, rank sum test, Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact probability method were used to analyze various data including age, body mass index (BMI), time interval between breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction surgery, history of radiotherapy, history of chemotherapy, history of smoking, history of lower abdominal surgery, history of hypertension, original surgical incision type, length and width of flap, hospitalization length, preoperative and postoperative conditions, as well as postoperative complications. Statistical significance was defined at P<0.05. Results:A total of 54 patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction were included in this study with a mean age of 42.2 years (range, 30-59 years). The pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group consisted of 21 patients with a mean age of 42.7 years (range, 33-56 years) while the bi-pedicled DIEP group comprised 33 patients with a mean age of 41.8 years (30-59 years). Out of the 54 patients, a total of 38 were eventually followed up, comprising 14 in the pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group and 24 in the bi-pedicled DIEP group. The average follow-up duration for the pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group was 42 months (range, 6-69 months). Abdominal bulge occurred in one patient, while another patient experienced abdominal hernia. The average follow-up duration for the bi-pedicled DIEP group was 47 months (6-179 months), with no reported cases of abdominal bulge or abdominal hernia. There were no statistically significant differences observed between the two groups regarding age, BMI, time interval between breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction surgery, history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, history of smoking, history of lower abdominal surgery, history of hypertension, original surgical incision type, length and width of flap, hospitalization length or time to ambulation (all P>0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference noted in duration of surgery between the pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap group and bi-pedicled DIEP group [6.0(5.5-6.5) hours vs. 8.5(8.0-8.8) hours] ( P<0.01). Comparison analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in terms of partial flap necrosis (0/21 vs. 1/33), abdominal incision dehiscence (2/21 vs. 2/33), abdominal bulge (1/14 vs. 0 /24) or abdominal hernia (1/1 vs. 0/24) between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For patients who needed bilateral vascular pedicled lower abdominal wall for breast reconstruction, utilizing a pedicled TRAM+ DIEP combined flap did not increase surgical complication risks. The proposed indication selection criteria for using a pedicled TRAM + DIEP combined flap outlined in this study could serve as guidance when choosing methods for bi-pedicled abdominal flap breast reconstruction.

Objective:To preliminarily evaluate the outcome of fat grafting breast augmentation using filtration-adsorption technique.Methods:Patients undergoing autologous fat grafting (AFG) breast augmentation between July of 2020 and March of 2021 were retrospectively reviewed at Breast Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College. Patients with complete data who followed up for at least 3 months were included. The lipoaspirates were processed with filtration-adsorption technique and AFG breast augmentation were performed (filtration-adsorption group), and then sedimentation method which was commonly used clinically was set as the control group (sedimentation group). During the follow-up, breast palpation and ultrasound inspection were performed, and the breast volumetric change between preoperative and postoperative was quantitatively compared by three-dimensional scanning technique. Demographic and surgical details were statistically analyzed. Postoperative breast volume retention rates and complication rates were calculated and compared. Normally distributed continuous variables were described in the form Mean±SD, and t-test was used for analysis. Non-normal distributed continuous variables were described in the form of M ( Q1, Q3) and analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. The classified data were analyzed by Fisher exact probability test. Results:A total of 20 female patients (40 breasts) were included, including 10 patients (20 breasts) aged (31.4±2.5) years in sedimentation group and 10 patients (20 breasts) aged (28.5±4.4) years in the filtration-adsorption group. The fat injection volume in the filtration-adsorption group was 151.1 (125.0, 175.0) ml, and 165.0 (151.3, 196.3) ml in sedimentation group, respectively, with no statistical significance ( P>0.05). The breast volume retention rate in filtration-adsorption group was (62.93±14.06)%, which was significantly higher than that in sedimentation group (24.97±11.02)% ( P<0.01). During postoperative breast ultrasound examination, 2 breasts in sedimentation group had palpable nodules (< 6 mm), 1 breast had ultrasonically detectable but clinically inaccessible nodules (< 4 mm), while only 1 breast in the filtration-adsorption group had an oil cyst (4 mm×2 mm). The complication rate in the filtration-adsorption group was lower than that in sedimentation group[5.0%(1/20) vs. 15.0%(3/20), P>0.05]. Conclusion:The filtration-adsorption technique is an ideal method for fat grafting, which would multiply the volume retention rate in large-volume AFG breast augmentation and reduce the rate of complications.

Objective:Introducing clinical application, planning strategy, and surgical tips of bipedicled deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps in delayed breast reconstruction.Methods:A retrospective study of patients who underwent delayed breast reconstruction using bipedicled DIEP flaps from April 2015 to April 2019 at the facility of the authors was carried out. Preoperative CT angiograph was performed for evaluation of deep inferior epigastric perforators. Intraoperative indocyanine green angiography was performed for real-time flap perfusion assessment. Baseline data, information of mastectomy and adjuvant therapy, surgical details, and follow-up records were reviewed and collected for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 31 patients were enrolled, with years of 43.0 on average (range, 30 to 55). Among them 16 patients received radiotherapy (51.6%), 9 patients had lower abdominal scars due to previous surgery (29.0%), 2 patients had body mass index (BMI) lower than 20 kg/m 2(6.5%). Measurements of flaps ranged from 20 cm×8 cm to 20 cm×38 cm. The operative time was 593±94 minutes. Of the 31 flaps enrolled, 24 were DIEP/DIEP flaps, 6 were DIEP/SIEA flaps, one was SIEA/SIEA flap. Intraflap anastomoses were performed in 6 flaps. The other 25 flaps were anastomosed to separate recipients. There was no flap loss encountered. Marginal necrosis of the flap happened in one patient, fat liquefaction of the donor site occurred in four patients, which was treated with conservative debridement. Patients were followed up for 13 months on average (range, 10 to 60 months). No long-term complication was observed during the follow-up. All patients reported satisfying aesthetic outcomes. Conclusions:Bipedicled DIEP flaps provide sufficient tissue quantity and reliable blood supply. Patients with severe breast deficiency, lacking lower abdominal fat, or having abdominal midline scars were appropriate to perform this type of flaps for delayed breast reconstruction.

Objective:Introducing clinical application, planning strategy, and surgical tips of bipedicled deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps in delayed breast reconstruction.Methods:A retrospective study of patients who underwent delayed breast reconstruction using bipedicled DIEP flaps from April 2015 to April 2019 at the facility of the authors was carried out. Preoperative CT angiograph was performed for evaluation of deep inferior epigastric perforators. Intraoperative indocyanine green angiography was performed for real-time flap perfusion assessment. Baseline data, information of mastectomy and adjuvant therapy, surgical details, and follow-up records were reviewed and collected for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 31 patients were enrolled, with years of 43.0 on average (range, 30 to 55). Among them 16 patients received radiotherapy (51.6%), 9 patients had lower abdominal scars due to previous surgery (29.0%), 2 patients had body mass index (BMI) lower than 20 kg/m 2(6.5%). Measurements of flaps ranged from 20 cm×8 cm to 20 cm×38 cm. The operative time was 593±94 minutes. Of the 31 flaps enrolled, 24 were DIEP/DIEP flaps, 6 were DIEP/SIEA flaps, one was SIEA/SIEA flap. Intraflap anastomoses were performed in 6 flaps. The other 25 flaps were anastomosed to separate recipients. There was no flap loss encountered. Marginal necrosis of the flap happened in one patient, fat liquefaction of the donor site occurred in four patients, which was treated with conservative debridement. Patients were followed up for 13 months on average (range, 10 to 60 months). No long-term complication was observed during the follow-up. All patients reported satisfying aesthetic outcomes. Conclusions:Bipedicled DIEP flaps provide sufficient tissue quantity and reliable blood supply. Patients with severe breast deficiency, lacking lower abdominal fat, or having abdominal midline scars were appropriate to perform this type of flaps for delayed breast reconstruction.